New HHS commissioner impressed with Rusk’s support

The new head of the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) system got a whirlwind tour of Rusk and other East Texas state facilities last month and said she’s pleased with what she sees in Rusk.

HHS Executive Commissioner Dr. Courtney N. Phillips was the keynote speaker of the 78th annual Rusk Chamber of Commerce banquet, held Saturday, Jan. 26. Prior to the banquet, Phillips – along with Rusk community leaders, Sen. Robert Nichols and Judy Clardy and Jerri Jones, who were there representing Rep. Travis Clardy – toured the Rusk State Hospital facility, where she shook hands and visited with employees and patients.

“It’s my honor to introduce a very important individual tonight – to Texas and Rusk, especially – Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Dr. Courtney Phillips,” Sen. Nichols said during the banquet. “About one-third of the state’s budget goes to her agency, and she’s hit Texas like a storm. We’ve been in Rusk all afternoon today, touring the Rusk State Hospital and we greatly appreciate her taking the time to do that.”

Texas HHS consists of two agencies, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which operates the Rusk State Hospital, and the Texas Department of State Health Services. Phillips started as the new executive commissioner for the HSS system on Oct. 19. She holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University; and a Ph.D. in public policy from Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.

Phillips most recently served as chief executive officer for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. As the head of the largest department in Nebraska’s state government, she was responsible for the divisions of behavioral health, children and family services, developmental disabilities, Medicaid and long-term care, and public health, as well as agency operations.

“As I was going through her bio, I couldn’t help but feel like there was something missing,” Nichols continued. “Not her qualifications, which are excellent, but it finally hit me -- so with all the power vested in me as a State Senator of Texas, I hereby declare Dr. Courtney Phillips an honorary Texan.”

Banquet-goers showed their approval with rousing applause as Phillips took the podium.

“What’s the saying? I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could,” Phillips said, with a laugh. “I was born and raised in small-town Louisiana. They told me Rusk only had one stop-light and I had to say you got my hometown beat – we didn’t have any stop-lights.

“I had the pleasure of touring Rusk today, and I’m most impressed with this community’s involvement in the success of those served. That amount of interest is critical in what we do for our clients. Ours is the greatest agency in any state because we can change the trajectory of someone’s life.

“The amount of money the legislative body invests in our state facilities is staggering – no other state in the country invests the amount of money Texas does – and the partnering between our department, the state and the community really does make a big difference. Our relationship is key and is something I’d like to ask would continue. I am extremely impressed with the foundation of support and resources the community has already laid.

“I’m excited to see the strides Rusk has already made in that regard. As a community, you should be commended for that. In the three months I’ve been here, we’ve continued to make strides, but we still have a lot more work to do.

“I look forward to working with all of you – we need your continued support.”

Following an extensive national search, Governor Greg Abbott appointed Dr. Phillips as the new executive commissioner of HHSC in August 2018.

“Dr. Phillips’ vast experience in health and human services makes her the ideal person to fill this role,” Governor Abbott said in August. “Tackling the challenges at HHSC will be no small task, but I’m confident that Dr. Phillips’ extensive background will help her lead the department to improve and maintain accountability. I look forward to working with Dr. Phillips to ensure the department effectively serves the people of Texas.”

Dr. Phillips has been recognized on the Lincoln Journal Star’s top young professionals list in 2016 and 2017, and as one of the most influential women in Lincoln in March 2018. She is an active contributor and presenter in the areas of public administration, health and social policy, most recently presenting at the 2018 Health and Social Policy Symposium in Taipei, Taiwan, co-sponsored by Duke University and the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Prior to serving as CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Phillips was a life-long resident of Louisiana and served as the Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. During her 12 year tenure, she held various roles including chief of staff, executive management officer, and working within various Medicaid programs.

“I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead Texas’ efforts to help people in need,” Phillips said in a statement published on the HHS’s website. ”Social services across the country face new challenges, and we’re going to put Texas at the forefront of meeting them.”

Cherokee County is located in the HHS’s District 4, along with Anderson, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood counties.